Chemical compounds

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns compounds of formula (I), and their use in therapy, particularly in the modulation of CCR3 activity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase application under 35 U.S.C. Section 371 filed from International Patent Application PCT/SE01/01298, filed 30 May 2001, which claims priority to United Kingdom patent application Serial. No. 0013060.9, filed 31 May 2000. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present invention concerns piperidine derivatives having pharmaceutical activity, to processes for preparing such derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives and to the use of such derivatives as active therapeutic agents.

Pharmaceutically active piperidine derivatives are disclosed in WO99/38514, WO99/04794 and WO00/29377.

Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that are released by a wide variety of cells to attract macrophages, T cells, eosinophils, basophils and neutrophils to sites of inflammation and also play a rôle in the maturation of cells of the immune system. Chemokines play an important role in immune and inflammatory responses in various diseases and disorders, including asthma and allergic diseases, as well as autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. These small secreted molecules are a growing superfamily of 8–14 kDa proteins characterised by a conserved four cysteine motif. The chemokine superfamily can be divided into two main groups exhibiting characteristic structural motifs, the Cys-X-Cys (C-X-C, or α) and Cys-Cys (C-C, or β) families. These are distinguished on the basis of a single amino acid insertion between the NH-proximal pair of cysteine residues and sequence similarity.

The C-X-C chemokines include several potent chemoattractants and activators of neutrophils such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2).

The C-C chemokines include potent chemoattractants of monocytes and lymphocytes but not neutrophils such as human monocyte chemotactic proteins 1–3 (MCP-1, MCP-2 and MCP-3), RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T Expressed and Secreted), eotaxin and the macrophage inflammatory proteins 1α and 1β (MIP-1α and MP-1β).

Studies have demonstrated that the actions of the chemokines are mediated by subfamilies of G protein-coupled receptors, among which are the receptors designated CCR1, CCR2, CCR2A, CCR2B, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, CCR10, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3 and CXCR4. These receptors represent good targets for drug development since agents which modulate these receptors would be useful in the treatment of disorders and diseases such as those mentioned above.

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I):

wherein:

-   m and n are, independently, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   X is CH₂, CO, O, S, S(O), S(O)₂ or NR⁶; -   Y is NR⁴S(O)₂R⁵ or S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵; -   T is C═O or CR⁷R⁸; -   R¹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; -   R² and R³ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; -   R⁴ and R⁶ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally     substituted with aryl); -   R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl {optionally substituted by halogen, CO₂R¹¹, aryl or     heterocyclyl}, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl {optionally substituted by C₁₋₄     alkyl or oxo}, C₃₋₇ cycloalkenyl (optionally substituted by C₁₋₆     alkyl or aryl), aryl or heterocyclyl; or, when Y is S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, R⁵     may also be hydrogen; -   R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl     (optionally substituted with aryl); -   wherein the foregoing aryl and heterocyclyl moieties are,     independently, optionally substituted by one or more of halo, cyano,     nitro, hydroxy, S(O)_(q)R¹¹, OCONR¹²R¹³, NR¹⁴R¹⁵, NR¹⁶COR¹⁷,     NR¹⁸CONR¹⁹R²⁰, SO₂NR²¹R²², NR²³SO₂R²⁴, CONR²⁵R²⁶, COR²⁷, CO₂R²⁸,     OCOR²⁹, NR³⁰CO₂R³¹, C₁₋₆ alkyl (itself optionally substituted with     halo, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), OCO(C₁₋₆     alkyl), SO₂R³², CONR³³R³⁴, phenyl, phenoxy, heterocyclyl or     heterocyclyloxy), C₃₋₁₀ cycloal, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₂₋₆     alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, methylenedioxy, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylthio,     phenyl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy or     heterocyclyl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy; wherein any of the immediately foregoing     phenyl and heterocyclyl moieties are optionally substituted with     halo, hydroxy, nitro, S(O)_(k)C₁₋₄ alkyl, SO₂NH₂, cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl,     C₁₋₄ alkoxy, CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl),     NHCO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), NHSO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CF₃ or OCF₃; -   R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²², R²³, R²⁵,     R²⁶, R²⁷, R²⁸, R²⁹, R³⁰, R³¹, R³³, and R³⁴ are, independently,     hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself optionally substituted by halo,     C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆     haloalkoxy); -   R¹¹, R²⁴ and R³² are, independently, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself     optionally substituted by halo, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂,     C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy); -   k and q are, independently, 0, 1 or 2; -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or a solvate thereof.

In one particular aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (I′)

wherein:

-   m and n are, independently, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   X is CH₂, CO, O, S, S(O), S(O)₂ or NR⁶; -   T is C═O or CR⁷R⁸; -   R¹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; -   R² and R³ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; -   R⁴ and R⁶ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally     substituted with aryl); -   R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl {optionally substituted by halogen, CO₂R¹¹, aryl or     heterocyclyl}, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl {optionally substituted by C₁₋₄     alkyl or oxo}, C₃₋₇ cycloalkenyl {optionally substituted by C₁₋₆     alkyl or aryl}, aryl or-heterocyclyl; -   R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl     (optionally substituted with aryl); -   wherein the foregoing aryl and heterocyclyl moieties are,     independently, optionally substituted by one or more of halo, cyano,     nitro, hydroxy, S(O)_(q)R¹¹, OCONR¹²R¹³, NR¹⁴R¹⁵, NR¹⁶COR¹⁷,     NR¹⁸CONR¹⁹R²⁰, SO₂NR²¹R²², NR²³SO₂R²⁴, CONR²⁵R²⁶, COR²⁷, CO₂R²⁸,     OCOR²⁹, NR³⁰CO₂R³¹, C₁₋₆ alkyl (itself optionally substituted with     halo, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), OCO(C₁₋₆     alkyl), SO₂R³², CONR³³R³⁴, phenyl, phenoxy, heterocyclyl or     heterocyclyloxy), C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy,     C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, methylenedioxy, phenyl, phenoxy,     phenylthio, phenyl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy or     heterocyclyl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy; wherein any of the immediately foregoing     phenyl and heterocyclyl moieties are optionally substituted with     halo, hydroxy, nitro, S(O)_(k)C₁₋₄ alkyl, SO₂NH₂, cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl,     C₁₋₄ aloxy, CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl),     NHCO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), NHSO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO(CO₁₋₄ alkyl), CF₃ or OCF₃; -   R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²², R²³, R²⁵,     R²⁶, R²⁷, R²⁸, R²⁹, R³⁰, R³¹, R³³ and R³⁴ are, independently,     hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself optionally substituted by halo,     C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆     haloalkoxy); -   R¹¹, R²⁴ and R³² are, independently, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself     optionally substituted by halo, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂,     C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy); -   k and q are, independently, 0, 1 or 2; -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or a solvate thereof.

Certain compounds of the present invention can exist in different isomeric forms (such as enantiomers, diastereomers, geometric isomers or tautomers). The present invention covers all such isomers and mixtures thereof in all proportions.

Suitable salts include acid addition salts such as a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, acetate, fumarate, maleate, tartrate, citrate, oxalate, methanesulphonate or p-toluenesulphonate.

The compounds of the invention may exist as solvates (such as hydrates) and the present invention covers all such solvates.

Halogen includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

Alkyl groups and moieties are straight or branched chain and are, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl or tert-butyl.

Alkenyl group are, for example, vinyl or allyl.

Cycloalkyl is mono-, bi or tricyclic and is, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, norbornyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl or camphoryl.

Cycloalkenyl is especially monocyclic and is, for example, cyclopentenyl or cyclohexenyl.

Aryl is preferably phenyl or naphthyl.

Heterocyclyl is an aromatic or non-aromatic 5 or 6 membered ring, optionally fused to one or more other rings, comprising at least one heteroatom selected from the group comprising nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; or an N-oxide thereof, or an S-oxide or S-dioxide thereof. Alternatively, heterocyclyl is an aromatic or non-aromatic 5 or 6 membered ring, optionally fused to one or more other rings, comprising at least one heteroatom selected from the group comprising nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur.

Heterocyclyl is, for example, furyl, thienyl (also known as thiophenyl), pyrrolyl, 2,5-dihydropyrrolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyridinyl (for example in 6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridinyl), pyrimidinyl, indolyl, 2,3-dihydroindolyl, benzo[b]furyl, benz[b]thienyl, 2,3-dihydrobenz[b]thienyl (for example in 1-dioxo-2,3-dihydrobenz[b]thienyl), indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl (for example in 1H-benzthiazol-2-one-yl), 2,3-dihydrobenzthiazolyl (for example in 2,3-dihydrobenzthiazol-2-one-yl), 1,2,3-benzothiadiazolyl, an imidazopyridinyl (such as imidazo[1,2a]pyridinyl), thieno[3,2-b]pyridin-6-yl 1,2,3-benzoxadiazolyl, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazolyl, benzofurazan, quinoxalinyl, dihydro-1-benzopyryliumyl (for example in a coumarinyl or a chromonyl), 3,4-dihydro-1H-2,1-benzothiazinyl (for example in 2-dioxo-3,4-dihydro-1H-2,1-benzothiazinyl), a pyrazolopyridine (for example 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridinyl), a purine (for example in 3,7-dihydro-purin-2,6-dione-8-yl), quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl (for example in 2H-isoquinolin-1-one-yl), a naphthyridinyl (for example [1,6]naphthyridinyl or [1,8]naphthyridinyl or in 1H-[1,8]naphthyridin-4-one-yl), a benzothiazinyl (for example in 4H-benzo[1,4]thiazin-3-one-yl), benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-2-yl or dibenzothiophenyl. Such heterocyclyl groups can, where appropriate, be in the form of an N-oxide (such as pyridine-N-oxide), an S-oxide or an S-dioxide.

Alternatively heterocyclyl is, for example, furyl, thienyl, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, quinoxaline, dihydro-1-benzopyrylium (for example a coumarin, a chromene or a chromone), piperidine, morpholine, pyrrole, indole, indoline, isoindoline, quinoline, thiazole, pyrazole, isoxazole, imidazole, pyridine, benzofuryl, benzimidazole, pyrimidine or dibenzothiophene.

In one aspect T is C═O or CR⁷R⁸, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl (such as methyl).

In another aspect n is 0 or 1.

In a further aspect m is 0.

In a still further aspect X is O.

In another aspect R¹ is phenyl substituted with one or more of fluorine, chlorine, C₁₋₄ alkyl (especially methyl) or C₁₋₄ alkoxy (especially methoxy).

In a further aspect R¹ is phenyl optionally substituted (for example with one, two or three) by halo (especially fluoro or chloro), C₁₋₄ alkyl (especially methyl) or C₁₋₄ alkoxy (especially methoxy). In a still further aspect R¹ is phenyl substituted by one, two or three of: fluoro, chloro, methyl or methoxy.

In yet another aspect R¹ is phenyl optionally substituted by halogen (for example fluoro or chloro). The variable R¹ is, for example, 3,4-difluorophenyl or 3,4-dichlorophenyl.

In a still further aspect R² and R³ are both hydrogen.

In another aspect R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl (such as methyl).

In yet another aspect R⁹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl (such as methyl or iso-propyl) or phenyl(C₁₋₄ alkyl) (such as benzyl).

In a still further aspect R¹⁰ is hydrogen.

In yet another aspect R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl {optionally substituted by phenyl (itself optionally substituted by halogen or nitro), CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl (itself optionally substituted by oxo or C₁₋₄ alkyl) or heterocyclyl}, aryl (such as phenyl or naphthyl) {optionally substituted by halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, OH, nitro, cyano, CF₃, OCF₃, N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)₂, NHCO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO₂H or CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl)} or hererocyclyl (such as thienyl, chromenyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, thiazolyl, quinolinyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl or imidazolyl) {optionally substituted by halogen, oxo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, NHCO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), pyridyl or isoxazolyl}.

In yet another aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (Ia):

wherein:

-   T, n, m, R⁴, R⁵, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above; -   R³⁵ is hydrogen, halogen or phenyl (optionally substituted by one or     two halogen atoms or by one CONR³⁷R³⁸, NR³⁸COR⁴⁰, SO₂R⁴¹, SO₂NR⁴²R⁴³     or NR⁴⁴SO₂R⁴⁵ group); -   R³⁶ is hydrogen or halogen; -   R³⁷, R³⁸, R³⁹, R⁴⁰, R⁴², R⁴³ and R⁴⁴ are, independently, hydrogen,     C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself optionally substituted by halo, C₁₋₆     alky, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy); -   R⁴¹ and R⁴⁵ are, independently, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself     optionally substituted by halo, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂,     C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy); -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another aspect R³⁵ and R³⁶ are both chlorine or both fluorine, especially 3,4 disposed on the phenyl ring to which they are attached.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (Ib):

wherein n and R⁵ are as defined above.

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (Ic):

wherein n and R⁵ are as defined above.

In another aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (Id):

wherein T, n, R⁴, R⁵, R⁹, R³⁵ and R³⁶ are as defined above. It is preferred that R³⁵ and R³⁶ are halogen (for example fluoro or chloro).

In a further aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (Ie):

wherein T, n, m, R⁴, R⁵, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above; and

-   R³⁵, R³⁶ and R⁴⁶ are, independently, hydrogen, halogen (especially     fluoro or chloro), C₁₋₄ alkyl (especially methyl) or C₁₋₄ alkoxy     (especially methoxy). In a still further aspect R³⁵, R³⁶ and R⁴⁶     are, independently, hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, methyl or methoxy, but     not all hydrogen.

A compound of formula (I) can be prepared by coupling a compound of formula (II):

with a compound of formula (III):

wherein L is a suitable leaving group, when Y is NR⁴S(O)₂R⁵ then R⁴ is not hydrogen, when Y is S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵ then neither R⁴ nor R⁵ is hydrogen and T is optionally protected during the course of the reaction by a standard protecting group known in the art and deprotected in a separate step or during the reaction work-up. For example:

-   when T is carbonyl, L can be OH and the coupling can be carried out     in the presence of a coupling agent (such as     bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, PYBROP™);     or, -   when T is CR⁷R⁸, L can be chloro or bromo and the coupling can be     carrier out in the presence of a suitable base (such as potassium     carbonate) in a suitable solvent (such as acetone).

A compound of formula (II) can be prepared by deprotecting a compound of formula (IV):

wherein Boc is tert-butoxycarbonyl, for example using trifluoroacetic acid in a suitable solvent (such as dichloromethane) or using a source of hydrogen chloride in a suitable solvent (such as dioxane).

Alternatively, a compound of formula (I), wherein Y is NR⁴S(O)₂R⁵, can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (V):

with a suitable sulphonyl chloride ClSO₂R⁵.

A compound of formula (V) can be prepared by deprotecting the corresponding carbamate or 1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione. The corresponding carbamate or 1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a compound of formula (VI) or (VII):

wherein R* is, for example, C₁₋₆ alkyl; and L is as defined above.

A compound of formula (I) wherein m and n are both 0, T is CH₂, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are both hydrogen and Y is S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a compound of formula (IX):

in a suitable solvent (such as an aliphatic alcohol, for example methanol).

Compounds of formula (II), (III), (IV), (VI), (VII) and (IX) can be prepared by or adapting either methods described in the art or methods described in the Examples.

In another aspect the present invention provides processes, as described herein, for the preparation of compounds of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) and (Ie).

The intermediates of formula (V) are provided as a further feature of the invention.

Examples of compounds of formula (Ib) are listed in Table I below.

TABLE I (Ib)

Compound n R⁵ M + H 1 0 2-OCF₃—C₆H₄ 481 2 0 3-NO₂-4-OH—C₆H₃ 476 3 0 (7,7-dimethyl-2- 471 oxobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-1-yl)CH₂ 4 0 n-Propyl 363 5 0 C₆(CH₃)₅ 467 6 0 4-n-propyl-C₆H₄ 439 7 0 Naphth-2-yl 447 8 0 2,6-Cl₂—C₆H₃ 465 9 0 2,6-F₂—C₆H₃ 433 10 0 4-NO₂—C₆H₄ 442 11 0 2,5-Cl₂—C₆H₃ 465 12 0 5-(NMe₂)-naphth-1-yl 490 13 0 2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4-yl 455 14 0 4-ethyl-C₆H₄ 425 15 0 2,5-Cl₂-thien-3-yl 471 16 0 3,4-(OMe)₂—C₆H₃ 457 17 0 2-Cl-5-CF₃—C₆H₃ 499 18 0 5-Cl-thien-2-yl 437 19 0 4-Cl—C₆H₄ 431 20 0 4-iso-propyl-C₆H₄ 439 21 0 2-Cl-4-CF₃—C₆H₃ 499 22 0 2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl 439 23 0 3-methyl-C₆H₄ 411 24 0 iso-propyl 363 25 0 4-CO₂H—C₆H₄ 441 26 0 2-oxo-2H-chromen-6-yl 465 27 0 3,4-Cl₂—C₆H₃ 465 28 0 2,3-Cl₂—C₆H₃ 465 29 0 (2-NO₂—C₆H₄)CH₂ 456 30 0 3-CF₃—C₆H₄ 465 31 0 4-tert-butyl-C₆H₄ 453 32 0 2-NO₂—C₆H₄ 442 33 2-F—C₆H₄ 415 34 0 3-NO₂—C₆H₄ 442 35 0 1-acetyl-indolin-5-yl 480 36 0 Naphth-1-yl 447 37 0 2-OMe-5-Cl—C₆H₃ 461 38 0 3-F—C₆H₄ 415 39 0 3-Cl-4-(NHCOCH₃)—C₆H₃ 488 40 0 Benzyl 411 41 0 2-NO₂-4-OMe—C₆H₃ 472 42 0 2-Me-5-NO₂—C₆H₄ 456 43 0 3-CO₂H—C₆H₄ 441 44 0 2,4,6-Me₃—C₆H₂ 439 45 0 3,4-Cl₂—C₆H₃ 465 46 0 4-(NHCOCH₃)—C₆H₄ 454 47 0 2-CF₃—C₆H₄ 465 48 0 (CH₂)₂CO₂CH₃ 407 49 0 4-CH₃—C₆H₄ 411 50 0 4-CF₃—C₆H₄ 465 51 0 4-CN—C₆H₄ 422 52 0 3-NO₂-4-CH₃—C₆H₃ 456 53 0 2-(NHCOCH₃)-4-CH₃-thiazol-5-yl 475 54 0 Quinolin-8-yl 448 55 0 2-OH-3,5-Cl₂—C₆H₂ 481 56 0 2,5-(OMe)₂—C₆H₃ 457 57 0 Phenyl 397 58 0 2-CH₃-4-NO₂—C₆H₅ 456 59 0 5-(pyrid-2-yl)-thien-2-yl 480 60 0 1,3-(CH₃)₂-5-Cl-pyrazol-4-yl 449 61 0 3,5-(CH₃)₂-isoxazol-4-yl 416 62 0 2,3,6-(CH₃)₃-4-OMe—C₆H 469 63 0 1-CH₃-imidazol-4-yl 401 64 0 2-OMe-5-Me—C₆H₃ 441 65 0 5-(isoxazol-3-yl)-thien-2-yl 470 66 0 2-(CO₂CH₃)-thien-3-yl 461 67 0 4-tert-pentyl-C₆H₄ 467 68 0 1-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol- 494 2-yl)-eth-1-yl 69 1 5-(pyridin-2-yl)-thien-2-yl

TABLE II Table II comprises 69 compounds of formula (Ic): (Ic)

wherein n and R⁵ are as defined for the correspondingly numbered compound in Table I.

TABLE III Table III discloses compounds of formula (Id): (Id)

wherein the variables are defined in the Table below. Compound R³⁵ R³⁶ T n R⁹ R⁴ R⁵ 1 Cl Cl CH₂ 1 H H 2-(pyridin-2-yl)thien-5-yl 2 F F C═O 0 (S)-benzyl H 2-(pyridin-2-yl)thien-5-yl 3 F F CH₂ 0 (S)-benzyl H 2-(pyridin-2-yl)thien-5-yl 4 Cl Cl CH₂ 0 (S)-iso-propyl H 2-(pyridin-2-yl)thien-5-yl 5 Cl Cl CH₂ 0 (S)-iso-propyl H 2,5-(OCH₃)₂—C₆H₃ 6 F F C(CH₃)₂ 0 H H 2-(pyridin-2-yl)thien-5-yl 7 F F CHCH₃ 0 H H 2-(pyridin-2-yl)thien-5-yl 8 F F CH₂ 0 H CH₃ 2-(pyridin-2-yl)thien-5-yl

The compounds of the invention have activity as pharmaceuticals, in particular as modulators of chemokine receptor (especially CCR3) activity, and may be used in the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, proliferative or hyperproliferative diseases, or immunologically-mediated diseases (including rejection of transplanted organs or tissues and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)). Examples of these conditions are:

-   (1) (the respiratory tract) obstructive diseases of airways     including: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (such as     irreversible COPD); asthma {such as bronchial, allergic, intrinsic,     extrinsic or dust asthma, particularly chronic or inveterate asthma     (for example late asthma or airways hyper-responsiveness)};     bronchitis {such as eosinophilic bronchitis}; acute, allergic,     atrophic rhinitis or chronic rhinitis including rhinitis caseosa,     hypertrophic rhinitis, rhinitis purulenta, rhinitis sicca or     rhinitis medicamentosa; membranous rhinitis including croupous,     fibrinous or pseudomembranous rhinitis or scrofoulous rhinitis;     seasonal rhinitis including rhinitis nervosa (hay fever) or     vasomotor rhinitis; sarcoidosis; farmer's lung and related diseases;     nasal polyposis; fibroid lung, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia,     antitussive activity, treatment of chronic cough associated with     inflammatory conditions of the airways or iatrogenic induced cough; -   (2) (bone and joints) arthrides including rheumatic, infectious,     autoimmune, seronegative spondyloarthropathies (such as ankylosing     spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis or Reiter's disease), Behcet's     disease, Sjogren's syndrome or systemic sclerosis; -   (3) (skin and eyes) psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis     or other eczmatous dermitides, seborrhoetic dermatitis, Lichen     planus, Phemphigus, bullous Phemphigus, Epidermolysis bullosa,     urticaria, angiodermas, vasculitides erythemas, cutaneous     eosinophilias, uveitis, Alopecia areata or vernal conjunctivitis; -   (4) (gastrointestinal tract) Coeliac disease, proctitis,     eosinophilic gastro-enteritis, mastocytosis, Crohn's disease,     ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease or food-related     allergies which have effects remote from the gut (for example     migraine, rhinitis or eczema); -   (5) (Allograft rejection) acute and chronic following, for example,     transplantation of kidney, heart, liver, lung, bone marrow, skin or     cornea; or chronic graft versus host disease; and/or -   (6) (other tissues or diseases) Alzheimer's disease, multiple     sclerosis, atherosclerosis, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome     (AIDS), Lupus disorders (such as lupus erythematosus or systemic     lupus), erythematosus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis,     type I diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, eosinophilia fascitis, hyper     IgE syndrome, leprosy (such as lepromatous leprosy), Peridontal     disease, Sezary syndrome, idiopathic thrombocytopenia pupura or     disorders of the menstrual cycle.

According to a further feature of the invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, for use in a method of treatment of a warm blooded animal (such as man) by therapy (including prophylaxis).

According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a method for modulating chemokine receptor activity (especially CCR3 receptor activity) in a warm blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof.

The invention also provides a compound of the formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, for use as a medicament.

In another aspect the present invention provides the use of a compound of the formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in therapy (for example modulating chemokine receptor activity (especially CCR3 receptor activity) in a warm blooded animal, such as man).

The invention further provides the use of a compound of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of:

-   (1) (the respiratory tract) obstructive diseases of airways     including: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (such as     irreversible COPD); asthma {such as bronchial, allergic, intrinsic,     extrinsic or dust asthma, particularly chronic or inveterate asthma     (for example late asthma or airways hyper-responsiveness)};     bronchitis {such as eosinophilic bronchitis}; acute, allergic,     atrophic rhinitis or chronic rhinitis including rhinitis caseosa,     hypertrophic rhinitis, rhinitis purulenta, rhinitis sicca or     rhinitis medicamentosa; membranous rhinitis including croupous,     fibrinous or pseudomembranous rhinitis or scrofoulous rhinitis;     seasonal rhinitis including rhinitis nervosa (hay fever) or     vasomotor rhinitis; sarcoidosis; farmer's lung and related diseases;     nasal polyposis; fibroid lung, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia,     antitussive activity, treatment of chronic cough associated with     inflammatory conditions of the airways or iatrogenic induced cough; -   (2) (bone and joints) arthrides including rheumatic, infectious,     autoimmune, seronegative spondyloarthropathies (such as ankylosing     spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis or Reiter's disease), Behcet's     disease, Sjogren's syndrome or systemic sclerosis; -   (3) (skin and eyes) psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis     or other eczmatous dermitides, seborrhoetic dermatitis, Lichen     planus, Phemphigus, bullous Phemphigus, Epidermolysis bullosa,     urticaria, angiodermas, vasculitides erythemas, cutaneous     eosinophilias, uveitis, Alopecia areata or vernal conjunctivitis; -   (4) (gastrointestinal tract) Coeliac disease, proctitis,     eosinophilic gastro-enteritis, mastocytosis, Crohn's disease,     ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease or food-related     allergies which have effects remote from the gut (for example     migraine, rhinitis or eczema); -   (5) (Allograft rejection) acute and chronic following, for example,     transplantation of kidney, heart, liver, lung, bone marrow, skin or     cornea; or chronic graft versus host disease; and/or -   (6) (other tissues or diseases) Alzheimer's disease, multiple     sclerosis, atherosclerosis, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome     (AIDS), Lupus disorders (such as lupus erythematosus or systemic     lupus), erythematosus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis,     type I diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, eosinophilia fascitis, hyper     IgE syndrome, leprosy (such as lepromatous leprosy), Peridontal     disease, sezary syndrome, idiopathic thrombocytopenia pupura or     disorders of the menstrual cycle;     in a warm blooded animal, such as man.

The present invention further provides a method of treating a chemokine mediated disease state (especially a CCR3 mediated disease state, especially asthma) in a warm blooded animal, such as man, which comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or solvate thereof.

In a further aspect a compound of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is useful in the treatment of asthma {such as bronchial, allergic, intrinsic, extrinsic or dust asthma, particularly chronic or inveterate asthma (for example late asthma or airways hyper-responsiveness)}; or rhinitis {including acute, allergic, atrophic or chronic rhinitis, such as rhinitis caseosa, hypertrophic rhinitis, rhinitis purulenta, rhinitis sicca or rhinitis medicamentosa; membranous rhinitis including croupous, fibrinous or pseudomembranous rhinitis or scrofoulous rhinitis; seasonal rhinitis including rhinitis nervosa (hay fever) or vasomotor rhinitis}.

In a still further aspect a compound of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is useful in the treatment of asthma.

The present invention also provides a the use of a compound of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of asthma or rhinitis.

The present invention further provides a method of treating a chemokine mediated disease state (especially a CCR3 mediated disease state, especially asthma) in a warm blooded animal, such as man, which comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or solvate thereof.

In order to use a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or solvate thereof, for the therapeutic treatment of a warm blooded animal, such as man, in particular modulating chemokine receptor (for example CCR3 receptor) activity, said ingredient is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition.

Therefore in another aspect the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof (active ingredient), and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier. In a further aspect the present invention provides a process for the preparation of said composition which comprises mixing active ingredient with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier. Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably comprise from 0.05 to 99% w (per cent by weight), more preferably from 0.05 to 80% w, still more preferably from 0.10 to 70% w, and even more preferably from 0.10 to 50% w, of active ingredient, all percentages by weight being based on total composition.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered in standard manner for the disease condition that it is desired to treat, for example by topical (such as to the lung and/or airways or to the skin), oral, rectal or parenteral administration. For these purposes the compounds of this invention may be formulated by means known in the art into the form of, for example, aerosols, dry powder formulations, tablets, capsules, syrups, powders, granules, aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions, (lipid) emulsions, dispersible powders, suppositories, ointments, creams, drops and sterile injectable aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions.

A suitable pharmaceutical composition of this invention is one suitable for oral administration in unit dosage form, for example a tablet or capsule which contains between 0.1 mg and 1 g of active ingredient.

In another aspect a pharmaceutical composition of the invention is one suitable for intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.

Each patient may receive, for example, an intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular dose of 0.01 mgkg⁻¹ to 100 mgkg⁻¹ of the compound, preferably in the range of 0.1 mgkg⁻¹ to 20 mgkg⁻¹ of this invention, the composition being administered 1 to 4 times per day. The intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular dose may be given by means of a bolus injection. Alternatively the intravenous dose may be given by continuous infusion over a period of time. Alternatively each patient will receive a daily oral dose which is approximately equivalent to the daily parenteral dose, the composition being administered 1 to 4 times per day.

The following illustrate representative pharmaceutical dosage forms containing the compound of formula (I), (I′), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof (hereafter Compound X), for therapeutic or prophylactic use in humans:

(a) Tablet I mg/tablet Compound X 100 Lactose Ph. Eur. 179 Croscarmellose sodium 12.0 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 6 Magnesium stearate 3.0 (b) Tablet II mg/tablet Compound X 50 Lactose Ph. Eur. 229 Croscarmellose sodium 12.0 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 6 Magnesium stearate 3.0 (c) Tablet III mg/tablet Compound X 1.0 Lactose Ph. Eur. 92 Croscarmellose sodium 4.0 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 2.0 Magnesium stearate 1.0 (d) Capsule mg/capsule Compound X 10 Lactose Ph. Eur. 389 Croscarmeflose sodium 100 Magnesium stearate 1.0 (e) Injection I (50 mg/ml) Compound X 5.0% w/v Isotonic aqueous solution to 100%

Buffers, pharmaceutically-acceptable cosolvents such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerol or ethanol or complexing agents such as hydroxy-propyl β-cyclodextrin may be used to aid formulation.

The above formulations may be obtained by conventional procedures well known in the pharmaceutical art. The tablets (a)–(c) may be enteric coated by conventional means, for example to provide a coating of cellulose acetate phthalate.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples in which, unless stated otherwise:

-   (i) when given, ¹H NMR data is quoted and is in the form of delta     values for major diagnostic protons, given in parts per million     (ppm) relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard,     determined at 300 MHz or 400 MHz using perdeuterio DMSO (CD₃SOCD₃)or     CDCl₃ as the solvent unless otherwise stated; -   (ii) mass spectra (MS) were run with an electron energy of 70     electron volts in the chemical ionisation (CI) mode using a direct     exposure probe; where indicated ionisation was effected by electron     impact (EI) or fast atom bombardment (FAB); where values for m/z are     given, generally only ions which indicate the parent mass are     reported, and unless otherwise stated the mass ion quoted is the     positive mass ion—(M+H)⁺; -   (iii) the following abbreviations are used:

THF=tetrahydrofuran

DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide

HPLC=high pressure liquid chromatography

BOC=tert-butoxycarbonyl

TEA=triethylamine

-   (iv) the title and sub-titled compounds of the examples and methods     were named using the ACD/name program from Advanced Chemical     Development Inc, Canada; -   (v) unless stated otherwise, reverse phase HPLC was conducted using     a Symmetry, NovaPak or Ex-Terra reverse phase silica column; and -   (vi) solvents were dried with MgSO₄ or Na₂SO₄.

EXAMPLE 1

This Example illustrates the preparation of 4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidine.

Step a: tert-Butyl 4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinecarboxylate

Diethyl azodicarboxylate (41.0 ml) was added to a solution of triphenylphosphine (62.9 g) in tetrahydrofuran (800 ml) at 0° C. After 15 minutes 3,4-dichlorophenol (39.1 g) was added, after a further 15 minutes tert-butyl 4-hydroxy-1-piperidinecarboxylate (48.3 g) in tetrahydrofuran (400 ml) was added dropwise over 30 min. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours and concentrated to a small volume. Purification by flash silica chromatography (ethyl acetate:iso-hexane 95:5) gave the sub-title compound as an oil (61.3 g).

MS: APCI(+ve): 246 (M−BOC+2H)

Step b: 4-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)piperidine

The product from Example 1, step a) was dissolved in dichloromethane (600 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (300 ml) was added. After 24 hours at room temperature the solution was evaporated and the resultant gum triturated under ether to give the sub-titled product as a solid (36.6 g). The free base was liberated by addition of aqueous NaOH (2M) and extraction with ethyl acetate followed by evaporation of solvent to give the title compound as a gum (25 g).

¹H NMR: δ(CDCl₃) 1.77 (1H, br s), 2.05–2.26 (4H, m), 3.20–3.49 (4H, m), 4.61 (1H, s), 6.69–7.52 (3H, m).

EXAMPLE 2

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{3-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidin-1-yl]propyl}-5-pyridin-2-ylthiophene-2-sulfonamide (Compound 1 of Table III).

Step a: tert-Butyl 3-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propylcarbamate

The product from Example 1 Step (b) (10 g) was dissolved in DMF (50 ml) and triethylamine (14.8 ml) was added. tert-Butyl 3-bromopropylcarbamate (10 g) was then added and the solution stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the resulting solid dissolved in ethyl acetate and water were added, the organic phase separated, dried, filtered and evaporated to a solid (17.51 g).

MS: ESI (+ve): 403 (M+H)

Step b: 3-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propylamine

The product from Example 2 Step (a) (2 g) was dissolved in dioxan (100 ml) and 6N HCl (100 ml) added. After 18 hrs at room temperature the solvent was evaporated and the resultant solid basified with NaOH (2M) to pH 11. The aqueous was extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic phase separated, dried, filtered and evaporated to leave the sub-title compound as an oil (1.1 g).

MS: ESI (+ve): 303 (M+H)

Step c: N-{3-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidin-1-yl]propyl}-5-pyridin-2-ylthiophene-2-sulfonamide

The product of Example 2, Step (b) (0.2 g) was dissolved in acetone (4 ml). Potassium carbonate [0.130 g dissolved in H₂O (1 ml)] was then added, followed by 5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride (0.171 g) and the reaction left to stir for 10 mins. Water was then added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts dried, filtered and concentrated. Purification by reverse phase HPLC {with a gradient eluent system [30% MeCN/NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%) to 95% MeCN//NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%)]} gave the title compound as a solid (0.135 g).

¹H NMR: δ (CDCl₃) 1.72 (2H, quintet), 1.84–1.91 (2H, m), 1.98–2.04 (2H, m), 2.39–2.47 (2H, m), 2.52 (2H, t), 2.62–2.71 (2H, m), 3.23 (2H, t), 4.32–4.38 (1H, m), 6.75 (1H, dd), 6.99 (1H, d), 7.23 (1H, d), 7.25 (1H, dd), 7.32(1H, d), 7.49 (1H, d), 7.57 (1H, d), 7.75 (1H, dt), 8.59 (1H, ddd).

Melting point: 115° C.

EXAMPLE 3

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{3-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 69 in Table I).

Step a: tert-Butyl 4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinecarboxylate

The sub-title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 1, step (a) using 3,4-difluorophenol to afford an oil (5.4 g).

MS: ESI (+ve): 213 (M−BOC+H)

Step b: 4-(3,4-Difluorophenoxy)piperidine

The sub-title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 1, step (b) to afford a pale yellow oil (3 g).

MS: ESI (+ve): 214 (M+H)

Step c: 2-{3-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propyl}-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione

The product from Example 3, Step (b) (1.5 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (26 ml) and triethylamine (1.18 ml) was added. 2-(3-Bromopropyl)-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione (2.08 g) was then added and the solution stirred at room temperature for 12 hrs. Ethyl acetate and aqueous NaHCO₃ solution were added and product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were dried, filtered and concentrated. This gave the sub-titled product as a solid (1.55 g).

MS: APCI(+ve): 401 (M+H)

Step d: 3-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propylamine

To the product of Example 3, Step (c) in EtOH (30 ml) was added hydrazine monohydrate (0.562 ml). The reaction was refluxed for 4 hrs and the solvent evaporated. Dichlorornethane (40 ml) was added and the solid by-product filtered. The organic residue was evaporated and the product purified by reverse phase HPLC {with a gradient eluent system [25% MeCN/NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%) to 95% MeCN//NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%)]} to give the sub-title compound as a solid (0.622 g).

¹H NMR: δ(CDCl₃) 1.80–1.86 (4H, m) 1.95–2.02 (2H, m), 2.46 (2H, br s), 2.61 (2H, t), 2.75 (2H, br s), 3.04 (2H, t), 4.26 (1H, br s), 6.56–7.27 (5H, m).

Step e: N-{3-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide

The product of Example 3, Step (d) (0.3 g) was dissolved in pyridine (1 ml) and CH₂Cl₂ (4 ml). 5-Pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride (0.317 g) [dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (4 ml)] was then added and the reaction left to stir for 1 hr. The reaction mixture was poured onto flash silica and the silica flushed with 5% MeOH/94% CH₂Cl₂/1% aq NH₃ as eluent. Evaporation of solvent and purification using reverse phase HPLC {with a gradient eluent system [25% MeCN/NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%) to 95% MeCN//NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%)]} gave the title compound as a solid (0.120 g).

¹H NMR: δ(DMSO) 1.50–1.90 (6H, m), 2.07–2.14 (2H, m), 2.27 (2H, t), 2.55–2.61 (2H, m), 2.93 (2H, t), 4.26–4.35 (1H, m), 6.71–8.58 (9H, m)

Melting point: 128–129° C.

EXAMPLE 4

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 59 of Table I).

Step a: tert-Butyl 2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethylcarbamate

The product from Example 3, Step (b) (5 g) was dissolved in DMF (27 ml) and triethylamine (7.7 ml) was added. tert-Butyl 2-bromoethylcarbamate (5.8 g) was added and the solution stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with water. The organic phase separated, dried, filtered and evaporated. Purification by flash silica chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol 97:3) gave the sub-titled product as an oil (10 g) containing a small amount of DMF.

MS: APCI(+ve): 357 (M+H)

Step b: 2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethylamine

The product of Example 4, Step (a) (10 g) was dissolved in dioxane (114 ml) and HCl (6N) (114 ml) was added and the reaction stirred for 2 hrs. The organic solvent was evaporated and aqueous NaOH (2M) added. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic extracts dried, filtered and concentrated to give the sub-title product as an oil (4.65 g).

¹H NMR: δ(CDCl₃) 1.74–1.83 (2H, m), 1.95–2.00 (2H, m), 2.26–2.31 (2H, m), 2.43 (2H, t), 2.73 (2H, br s), 2.79 (2H, t), 4.17–4.23 (1H, m), 6.58–7.07 (3H, m).

MS: APCI(+ve): 257 (M+H)

Step c: N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide

To a solution of 5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride (0.213 g) [in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml)] was added a solution of the product of Example 4, Step (b) (0.210 g) [in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) and pyridine (0.066 ml)]. The reaction was left to stir for 12 hrs. The reaction mixture was washed with saturated aqueous NaCl solution and the organics separated and dried and then filtered. The solvents were evaporated and the product purified by using reverse phase HPLC {with a gradient eluent system [25% MeCN/NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%) to 95% MeCN//NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%)]} give the title compound as a solid (0.03 g).

¹H NMR: δ (CDCl₃) 1.69–1.79 (2H, m), 1.86–1.92 (2H, m), 2.22–2.26 (2H, m), 2.51 (2H, t), 2.53–2.60 (2H, m), 3.15 (2H, t), 4.15–4.24 (1H, m), 6.55–6.57 (1H, m), 6.66–6.70 (1H, m), 7.03 (1H, q), 7.24–7.27 (1H, m), 7.49–7.51 (1H, m), 7.60–7.61 (1H, m), 7.68 (1H, d), 7.75 (1H, t), 8.59 (1H, d).

Melting point: 144–145° C.

EXAMPLE 5

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{(1S)-1-benzyl-2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-2-oxoethyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 2 of Table III).

Step a: tert-Butyl (1S)-1-benzyl-2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-2-oxoethylcarbamate

The product of Example 3, Step (b) (1 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (20 ml) and (2S)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-phenylpropanoic acid (1.24 g), N,N-di-iso-propylethylamine (2.45 ml) and PyBrop (bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, 3.2 g) were added. After 1 hr at room temperature CH₂Cl₂ was added and the mixture washed with HCl (2N), aqueous NaHCO₃ solution, and saturated aqueous NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried, filtered and evaporated. Purification by flash silica chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate 70:30) gave the sub-titled product as solid (1.6 g).

MS: ESI(+ve): 461 (M+H)

Step b: (1S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-2-oxoethylamine

The product from Example 5, Step (a) (1.2 g) was dissolved in dichloromethane (10 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (5 ml) was added. After 1 hr at room temperature the solution was evaporated and aqueous NaOH (2M) added. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic extracts dried, filtered and concentrated to give the sub-title product as an oil (1 g).

MS: ESI(+ve): 361 (M+H)

Step c: N-{(1S)-1-benzyl-2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-2-oxoethyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide

To a solution of 5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride (0.072 g) [in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) and dimethyl amino pyridine (0.034 g)] was added a solution of the product of Example 5, Step (b) (0.100 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 ml). The reaction was left to stir for 12 hrs. The reaction mixture was then pre-absorbed onto flash silica and purified by flash silica column chromatography with 2% MeOH/97.5% CH₂Cl₂/0.5% aq NH₃ as eluent. Further purification using flash silica chromatography with 10% MeCN/2% TEA/88% CH₂Cl₂ eluent gave the title compound as a solid (0.045 g).

¹H NMR: δ (CDCl₃) 1.23–1.73 (4H, m), 2.97 (2H, d), 2.93–3.55 (4H, m), 4.05–4.15 (1H, m), 4.55–4.60 (1H, m), 5.94 (1H, s), 6.31–8.57 (14H, m).

MS: APCI(+ve): 584 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 6

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{(1S)-1-benzyl-2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 3 of Table III).

Step a: (1S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethylamine

The product from Example 5, Step (b) (0.1 g) was dissolved in THF (3 ml) and borane [0.84 ml (1M in THF)] was added. The reaction was stirred for 1 hr and then quenched slowly with methanol. The solvents were evaporated and the residue re-dissolved in 50% H₂O/50% conc HCl (2 ml) and refluxed for 1 hr. The solvents were evaporated. The free base was liberated by addition of aqueous NaOH (2M) and extraction with ethyl acetate followed by drying, filtration and evaporation of solvent to give the sub-title compound as an oil (0.092 g).

MS: APCI(+ve): 347 (M+H)

Step b: N-{(1S)-1-benzyl-2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)- 1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide

The product of Example 6, Step (a) (0.091 g) was dissolved in acetone (2 ml). Potassium carbonate [0.066 g dissolved in H₂O (0.5 ml)] was then added, followed by 5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride (0.067 g) and the reaction left to stir for 10 mins. Water was then added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts dried, filtered and concentrated. Purification by flash silica column chromatography with 1% MeOH/98.9% CH₂Cl₂/0.1% aq NH₃ as eluent, and then reverse phase HPLC {with a gradient eluent system [50% MeCN/NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%) to 70% MeCN//NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%)]} gave the title compound as a solid (0.057 g).

¹H NMR: δ (CDCl₃) 1.61 (2H, m), 1.71–1.81 (2H, m), 2.00–2.09 (2H, m), 2.20–2.26 (2H, m), 2.30–2.38 (2H, m), 2.82–2.88 (1H, dd), 3.24–3.29 (1H, dd), 3.45–3.51 (1H, m), 4.08 (1H, m), 6.47–6.50 (1H, m), 6.62 (1H, m), 6.95 (1H, q), 7.19–7.30 (6H, m), 7.50–7.51 (1H, m), 7.61–7.62 (1H, m), 7.66 (1H, d), 7.74 (1H, t), 8.58 (1H, m).

MS: APCI(+ve): 570 (M+H)

EXAMPLE 7

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-((1S)-1-{[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 4 of Table III).

Step a: tert-Butyl (1S)-1-{[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl}-2-methylpropylcarbamate

To (2S)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-methylbutanoic acid (1.13 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) was added 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)-propyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.99 g) and left to stir for 5 mins. The product of Example 1, Step (b) (0.98 g) dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml) was then and the reaction left to stir for 3 hrs. Aqueous NaHCO₃ solution was added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried, filtered and evaporated to give the sub-title compound (1.57 g).

MS: APCI(+ve): 345(M−BOC+H)

Step b: (1S)-1-{[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidin-1-yl]carbonyl}-2-methylpropylamine

The product from Example 7, Step (a) (1.57 g) was dissolved in dichloromethane (14 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (4 ml) was added. After 2 hours at room temperature the solution was evaporated and aqueous NaOH (2M) was added. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic extracts dried, filtered and concentrated to give the sub-title product as an oil (1.12 g).

MS: APCI(+ve): 345 (M+H)

Step c: (1S)-1-{[4-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropylamine

The product from Example 7, Step (b) (1.12 g) was dissolved in THF (10 ml) and borane [22.7 ml (1M in THF)] was added. The reaction was stirred for 2 hr and the solvents evaporated. The reaction was quenched slowly with MeOH followed by aqueous HCl (5 ml Concentrated HCl: 5 ml H₂O). The MeOH was evaporated and NaOH (2M) added until pH 9 was reached. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic extracts were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, dried, filtered and solvents evaporated to give the sub-title compound as an oil (0.98 g).

MS: APCI(+ve): 331 (M+H)

Step d: N-((1S)-1-{[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide.

The product of Example 7, Step (c) (0.050 g) was dissolved in acetone (1 ml). K₂CO₃ [0.033 g dissolved in H₂O (0.5 ml)] was then added, followed by 5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride (0.041 g) and the reaction left to stir for 1 hr. Water was then added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts dried, filtered and concentrated. Purification by flash silica column chromatography with 30% EtOAc/68% Hexane/2% TEA as eluent, and then reverse phase HPLC [(50% MeCN/NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%)] gave the title compound as a solid (0.023 g).

¹H NMR: δ (CDCl₃) 0.88–0.94 (7H, m), 1.60–1.71 (2H, m), 1.76–1.87 (2H, m), 2.17–2.27 (2H, m), 2.32–2.38 (2H, m), 2.43–2.47 (2H, m), 3.22–3.28 (1H, m), 4.15–4.22 (1H, m), 6.68 (1H, dt), 6.90–6.92 (1H, m), 7.23–7.29 (2H, m), 7.50 (1H, t), 7.59 (1H, t), 7.65–7.67 (1H, m), 7.71–7.75 (1H, m), 8.58 (1H, m).

MS: APCI(+ve): 554 (M+H)

EXAMPLE 8

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-((1S)-1-{[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (Compound 5 of Table III).

The product of Example 7, Step (b) (0.050 g) was dissolved in acetone (1 ml), K₂CO₃ [0.033 g dissolved in H₂O (0.3 ml)] was then added, followed by 2,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride (0.039 g). The reaction left stirring for 30 mins. Water was then added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were dried, filtered and concentrated. Purification by flash silica column chromatography with 1% MeOH/98.9% CH₂Cl₂/0.1% aq NH₃ as eluent gave the title compound as a solid (0.072 g).

¹H NMR: δ (CDCl₃) 0.85–0.90 (6H, m), 1.48–1.72 (5H, m), 2.25 (4H, m), 2.48 (2H, m), 3.20 (1H, m), 3.81 (3H, s), 3.95 (3H, s), 4.14 (1H, m), 5.28 (1H, m), 6.70–6.95 (1H, m), 6.95–6.98 (2H, m), 7.04–7.07 (1H, m), 7.26–7.31 (1H, m), 7.44 (1H, m).

MS: APCI(+ve): 531 (M+H)

EXAMPLE 9

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-2-methylpropyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 6 of Table III).

Step a: 2-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-2-methyl-1-propanamine

The product of Example 3, Step (b) (1.5 g) was dissolved in acetone (1 ml). After five minutes 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanenitrile (0.64 ml) was added and the reaction left to stir for 12 hrs. The solvent was allowed to evaporate and then THF (10 ml) was added followed by LiAlH₄ (1M in THF, 20 ml) and the reaction left to stir overnight. The reaction was then quenched with H₂O (0.5 ml), followed by NaOH (15% solution in H₂O (0.5 ml) and then H₂O (1.5 ml). Ethyl acetate was then added and the mixture dried and filtered. The organics were evaporated and purification by flash silica column chromatography with 10% MeOH/90% CH₂Cl₂ as eluent gave the sub-title compound as an oil (0.60 g).

¹H NMR: δ (CDCl₃) 1.01 (6H, s), 1.45 (2H, br s), 1.69–1.79 (2H, m), 1.96–2.00 (2H, m), 2.30–2.40 (2H, m), 2.58 (2H, m), 2.79–2.81 (2H, m), 4.14–4.19 (1H, m), 6.56–7.09 (3H, m).

MS: ESI(+ve): 285 (M+H)

Step b: N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-2-methylpropyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide

Prepared by the method of Example 7, Step (d) using the product of Example 9, Step (a) to give the title compound as a solid (0.137 g).

¹H NMR: δ (DMSO) 0.98 (6H, s), 1.51–1.59 (2H,m), 1.85–1.89 (2H, m), 2.24–2.33 (2H, m), 2.67–2.70 (2H, m), 2.86 (2H, s), 4.24–4.31 (1H, m), 6.71–8.58 (10H, m).

Melting point: 133–134° C.

EXAMPLE 10

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 7 of Table III).

Step a: N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propyl}-2-phenylacetamide

The product of Example 3, Step (b) (0.8 g) was dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane (14 ml). N-(2-oxopropyl)-2-phenylacetamide was added (0.72 g) followed by NaBH(OAc)₃ (1.12 g) and acetic acid (0.12 g). After 18 hours at room temperature aqueous NaOH (1M) solution and ethyl acetate were added. The product was extracted ethyl acetate, the combined organic extracts dried, filtered and concentrated. Purification by flash silica column chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol 95:5) gave the sub-title compound (0.77 g).

MS: APCI(+ve): 389 (M+H)

Step b: 2-[4-(3,4-Difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-1-propanamine

To the product of Example 10, Step (a) (0.772 g) was added 50% conc HCl/50% MeOH (20 ml) and the reaction heated to 60° C. for 2 days. Evaporation of solvent and purification by flash silica column chromatography using 10% MeOH188.9% CH₂Cl₂/0.1% aq. NH₃ as eluent gave the sub-title compound (0.282 g).

Step c: N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]propyl}-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide.

Prepared by the method of Example 7, Step (d) using the product of Example 10, Step (b) to give the title compound as a solid (0.21 g).

¹H NMR: δ (DMSO) 0.91 (3H, d), 1.48–1.59 (2H, m), 1.84–1.89 (2H, m), 2.22–2.39 (2H, m), 2.56–2.61 (2H, m), 2.78–2.84 (1H, m), 2.91–2.98 (1H, m), 3.32 (1H, br s), 4.24–4.32 (1H, m), 6.71–8.59 (9H, m).

Melting point: 153–154° C.

EXAMPLE 11

This Example illustrates the preparation of N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-N-methyl-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide (Compound 8 of Table III).

Step a: N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide

To the product of Example 4, Step (b) dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (20 ml) with triethylamine (2.45 ml) at 0° C. was added trifluoroacetic anhydride (1.24 ml) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml). The reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature over 1 hr. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with H₂O. The combined organics were dried, filtered and solvents evaporated. Purification by flash silica column chromatography using 2% MeOH/97.6% CH₂Cl₂/0.4% aq. NH₃ as eluent gave the sub-title product (1.64 g).

MS: ESI(+ve): 353 (M+H)

Step b: N-{2-[-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-methylacetamide

The product of Example 11, Step (a) (1.64 g) dissolved in THF (5 ml) was added dropwise to a suspension of NaH (60% dispersion in oil, 0.205 g) in THF (20 ml) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 30 mins then cooled to 0° C. and methyl iodide (0.290 ml) dissolved in THF (5 ml) added dropwise. The reaction was then allowed to warm to room temperature and left for 12 hrs. Two further aliquots of methyl iodide (0.2 ml and 0.5 ml) were added over 12 hrs. The reaction was quenched with saturated NaHCO₃ and the product extracted with ethyl acetate, dried, and filtered. Evaporation of solvent and purification by flash silica column chromatography using 1% MeOH/98.5% CH₂Cl₂/0.5% aq. NH₃ as eluent gave the sub-title product (0.30 g).

MS: ESI(+ve): 367 (M+H)

Step c: N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-N-methylamine

The product of Example 11, Step (b) (0.3 g) was dissolved in EtOH (15 ml) and NaOH (2M, 5 ml) added. The reaction was stirred for 48 hrs and H₂O and EtOAc added. The organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous NaCl solution, dried, filtered and evaporated to give an oil (0.221 g).

MS: ESI(+ve): 271 (M+H)

Step d: N-{2-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl}-N-methyl-5-(2-pyridinyl)-2-thiophenesulfonamide hydrochloride.

Prepared by the method of Example 7, Step (d) using the product of Example 11, Step (c) with Et₂O/HCl to give the title compound as a hydrochloride salt (0.073 g).

¹H NMR: δ (D₂O) 1.96–2.43 (2H, m), 2.92 (3H, s), 3.26–3.28 (1H, m), 3.41–3.63 (7H, m), 3.81–3.84 (1H, m), 6.82–6.87 (1H, m), 6.99–7.05 (1H, m), 7.23 (1H, m), 7.69 (1H, td), 7.83 (1H, d), 7.86 (1H, d), 8.08 (1H, d), 8.22 (1H, td), 8.60 (1H, ddd).

Melting point: 123° C.

EXAMPLE 12

This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidin-1-yl]-N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]ethanesulfonamide.

Step a: N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]ethylenesulfonamide

To a suspension of 4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline (0.378 g) in diethyl ether (10 ml) and triethylamine (0.462 ml) at 0° C. was added 2-chloroethanesulfonyl chloride (0.346 ml). The reaction mixture was left to stir at 0° C. for 3 hrs and then at room temperature for 8 hrs. The solvent was evaporated to give the sub-title compound as a brown solid which was used without further purification in Example 12, step b.

MS: ES(−ve): 260 (M−H)

Step b: 2-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidin-1-yl]-N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]ethanesulfonamide

The product from Example 12, step a was dissolved MeOH (10 ml) and the product of Example 1, step b) added, and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. The reaction mixture was then poured into water and the product extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were washed with water and brine, then dried, filtered and concentrated. Purification by reverse phase HPLC {with a gradient eluent system [40% MeCN/NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%) to 95% MeCN//NH₄OAc_(aq) (0.1%)]}. Any excess NH₄OAc in the product was removed by dissolving the compound in ethyl acetate and washing with aqueous saturated NaHCO₃ followed by drying of the organics, filtration and evaporation of solvent. This gave the title compound (0.052 g).

¹H NMR: δ(DMSO) 1.38–1.49 (2H, m), 1.72–1.82 (2H, m), 2.14–2.22 (2H, m), 2.52–2.62 (2H, m), 2.66–2.76 (2H, m), 3.20 (3H, s), 3.38–3.47 (2H, m), 4.30–4.42 (1H, m), 6.89–6.98 (1H, m), 7.22 (1H, d), 7.38 (2H, d), 7.48 (1H, d), 7.85 (2H, d).

MS: APCI(+ve): 507 (M+H)

EXAMPLE 13

Pharmacological Analysis: Calcium Flux [Ca²⁺]_(i) Assay

Human Eosinophils

Human eosinophils were isolated from EDTA anticoagulated peripheral blood as previously described (Hansel et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 1991, 145, 105–110). The cells were resuspended (5×10⁶ ml⁻¹) and loaded with 5 μM FLUO-3/ AM+Pluronic F127 2.2 μl/ml (Molecular Probes) in low potassium solution (LKS; NaCl 118 mM, MgSO₄ 0.8 mM, glucose 5.5 mM, Na₂CO₃ 8.5 mM, KCl 5 mM, HEPES 20 mM, CaCl₂ 1.8 mM, BSA 0.1%, pH 7.4) for one hour at room temperature. After loading, cells were centrifuged at 200 g for 5 min and resuspended in LKS at 2.5×10⁶ ml⁻¹. The cells were then transferred to 96 well FLIPR plates (Poly-D-Lysine plates from Becton Dickinson pre-incubated with 5 μM fibronectin for two hours) at 25 μl/well. The plate was centrifuged at 200 g for 5 min and the cells were washed twice with LKS (200 μl; room temperature).

A compound of the Examples was pre-dissolved in DMSO and added to a final concentration of 0.1% (v/v) DMSO. Assays were initiated by the addition of an A₅₀ concentration of eotaxin and the transient increase in fluo-3 fluorescence (I_(Ex)=490 nm and I_(Em)=520 nm) monitored using a FLIPR (Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, U.S.A.).

Human Eosinophil Chemotaxis

Human eosinophils were isolated from EDTA anticoagulated peripheral blood as previously described (Hansel et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 1991, 145, 105–110). The cells were resuspended at 10×10⁶ ml⁻¹ in RPMI containing 200 IU/ml penicillin, 200 μg/ml streptomycin sulphate and supplemented with 10% HIFCS, at room temperature.

Eosinophils (700 μl) were pre-incubated for 15 mins at 37° C. with 7 μl of either vehicle or compound (100× required final concentration in 10% DMSO). The chemotaxis plate (ChemoTx, 3 μm pore, Neuroprobe) was loaded by adding 28 μl of a concentration of eotaxin (0.1 to 100 nM) containing a concentration of a compound according to the Examples or solvent to the lower wells of the chemotaxis plate. The filter was then placed over the wells and 25 μl of eosinophil suspension were added to the top of the filter. The plate was incubated for 1 hr at 37° C. in a humidified incubator with a 95% air/5% CO₂ atmosphere to allow chemotaxis.

The medium, containing cells that had not migrated, was carefully aspirated from above the filter and discarded. The filter was washed once with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 5 mM EDTA to remove any adherent cells. Cells that had migrated through the filter were pelleted by centrifugation (300×g for 5 mins at room temperature) and the filter removed and the supernatant transferred to each well of a 96-well plate (Costar). The pelleted cells were lysed by the addition of 28 μl of PBS containing 0.5% Triton×100 followed by two cycles of freeze/thawing. The cell lysate was then added to the supernatant. The number of eosinophils migrating was quantified according to the method of Strath et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 1985, 83, 209 by measuring eosinophil peroxidase activity in the supernatant.

Certain compounds of the Examples were found to be antagonists of the eotaxin mediated human eosinophil chemotaxis. 

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein: m and n are, independently, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; X is O; Y is NR⁴S(O)₂R⁵ or S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵; T is C═O or CR⁷R⁸; R¹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; R² and R³ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R⁴ and R⁶ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted with aryl); R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl {optionally substituted by halogen, CO₂R¹¹, aryl or heterocyclyl}, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl {optionally substituted by C₁₋₄ alkyl or oxo}, C₃₋₇ cycloalkenyl {optionally substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl}, aryl or heterocyclyl; or, when Y is S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, R⁵ may also be hydrogen; R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted with aryl); wherein the foregoing aryl and heterocyclyl moieties are, independently, optionally substituted by one or more of halo, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, S(O)_(q)R¹¹, OCONR¹²R¹³, NR¹⁴R¹⁵, NR¹⁶COR¹⁷, NR¹⁸CONR¹⁹R²⁰, SO₂NR²¹R²², NR²³SO₂R²⁴, CONR²⁵R²⁶, COR²⁷, CO₂R²⁸, OCOR²⁹, NR³⁰CO₂R³¹, C₁₋₆ alkyl (itself optionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), OCO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂R³², CONR³³R³⁴, phenyl, phenoxy, heterocyclyl or heterocyclyloxy), C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, methylenedioxy, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylthio, phenyl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy or heterocyclyl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy; wherein any of the immediately foregoing phenyl and heterocyclyl moieties are optionally substituted with halo, hydroxy, nitro, S(O)_(k)C₁₋₄ alkyl, SO₂NH₂, cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), NHCO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), NHSO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CF₃ or OCF₃; R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²², R²³, R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, R²⁸, R²⁹, R³⁰, R³¹, R³³ and R³⁴ are, independently, hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself optionally substituted by halo, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy); R¹¹, R²⁴ and R³² are, independently, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl (itself optionally substituted by halo, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, CN, NO₂, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₆ haloalkoxy); k and q are, independently, 0, 1 or 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein aryl is phenyl.
 3. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein heterocyclyl is furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, 2,5-dihydropyrrolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, indolyl, 2,3-dihydroindolyl, benzo[b]furyl, benz[b]thienyl, 2,3-dihydrobenz[b]thienyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzthiazolyl, 1,2,3-benzothiadiazolyl, an imidazopyridinyl, thieno[3,2-b]pyridin-6-yl 1,2,3-benzoxadiazolyl, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazolyl, benzofurazan, quinoxalinyl, dihydro-1-benzopyryliumyl, 3,4-dihydro-1H-2,1-benzothiazinyl, a pyrazolopyridine, a purine, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, a naphthyridinyl, a benzothiazinyl, benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-2-yl or dibenzothiophenyl; or such a group, where appropriate, in the form of an N-oxide, an S-oxide or an S-dioxide.
 4. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1, wherein T is C═O or CR⁷R⁸, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are, independently, hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 5. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein n is 0 or
 1. 6. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein m is
 0. 7. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1, wherein R1 is phenyl substituted with one or more of fluorine, chlorine, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy.
 8. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R² and R³ are both hydrogen.
 9. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 10. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R⁹ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or phenyl(C₁₋₄ alkyl).
 11. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R¹⁰ is hydrogen.
 12. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R⁵ is C₁₋₆ alkyl {optionally substituted by phenyl (itself optionally substituted by halogen or nitro), CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl (itself optionally substituted by oxo or C₁₋₄ alkyl) or heterocyclyl}, aryl {optionally substituted by halogen, C₁₋₆ alky, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, OH, nitro, cyano, CF₃, OCF₃, N(C₁₋₄ alkyl)₂, NHCO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO₂H or CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl)} or hererocyclyl {optionally substituted by halogen, oxo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, NHCO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl), pyridyl or isoxazolyl}.
 13. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein Y is NR⁴S(O)₂R⁵.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
 15. A method of treating asthma or rhinitis in a patient suffering from, said disease, which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in claim
 1. 16. A process for preparing a compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1, the process comprising: a) coupling a compound of formula (II):

 with a compound of formula (III):

 wherein L is a suitable leaving group, when Y is NR⁴S(O)₂R⁵ then R⁴ is not hydrogen, when Y is S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵ then neither R⁴ nor R⁵ is hydrogen and T is optionally protected during the course of the reaction by a standard protecting group; b) for preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein Y is NR⁴S(O)₂R⁵, reacting a compound of formula (V):

 with a suitable sulphonyl chloride of formula ClSO₂R⁵; or, c) for preparing a compound of formula (I) wherein m and n are both 0, T is CH₂, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are both hydrogen and Y is S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, reacting a compound of formula (II) with a compound of formula (IX):

 in a suitable solvent. 